FAQ

How best to get to Assisi?

You may wish to rent a car upon arrival in Italy.
If not, there are frequent trains to Assisi from Rome, also from Florence (each is about 2 -1/4 hrs away).
You can also rent a car when in Assisi.


What places can I reach from Assisi?

The Assisi area is the PERFETTO place for exploration of Umbrian and southern Tuscan hilltowns. From Assisi, you can explore the following HILLTOWN GEMS (listed below, followed by driving time from Assisi – locations preceded by * are accessible by train):

Umbria:

  • * Perugia – 20 mins
  • * Spello – 15 mins
  • * Foligno – 20 mins (modern town, principally, but has a fascinating Renaissance palace)
  • * Spoleto – 40 min
  • * Trevi – 30 mins
  • * Lake Trasimeno (lovely lakeside towns to discover, eg, Panicale, Castiglione del Lago, etc) – 50 min – 1 hr
  • * Narni (what a gem – a personal favorite) – 1 hr – best by car so that you can return via Ferentillo, S. Pietro in Valle, Scheggino – spectacular drive
  • Orvieto – 1 1/4 hrs (train takes over 2 hrs as not a direct route)
  • Deruta – 20 mins
  • Torgiano – 20 mins
  • Bettona (tiny gem) – 20 mins
  • Todi – 50 mins
  • Norcia (and all the Nera River Valley is STUPENDA) – 50 min
  • Bevagna – 30 min
  • Montefalco – 40 min
  • Gubbio – 50 mins
  • Città della Pieve – 1 hr
  • * Citta’ di Castello – 1 hr

southern Tuscany:

  • * Cortona – 1 hr
  • *Arezzo – about 1 1/2 hrs
  • Montepulciano – about 50 mins
  • Pienza – about 50 mins
  • Montalcino – 1 hr., approx.
  • Siena – 1 – 1/4 hrs (and buses daily to and from Asissi)
  • S. Quirico D’Orcia – 1 hr

AND..

  • Rome and Florence each about 2 – 2 1/2 hrs by train and trains frequently (about every 2 hrs)

Which is the nearest airport?

Assisi is about two hours by car from Rome, Florence, and Ancona airports. The regional airport near Perugia, about 25 minutes away, connects internationally through Milan Malpensa airport. The Perugia airport has some direct flights to European cities with Ryanair.


Will I need a car during my Assisi stay?

If you stay in Assisi Casa Campagne apartments, you will need a car as we are just over six kilometers from Assisi.

If you stay in the our Assisi in-town apartment, a car is optional. Many hilltowns are easily accessible by train from Assisi, e.g., Perugia, Spello, Trevi, Spoleto, Narni, and Orvieto here in Umbria and Cortona and Arezzo in nearby southern Tuscany.
A bus heads daily to Siena from Assisi. But a car certainly will allow you to do more extensive hilltown exploration.


Is there parking near the apartments?

For Nido Tranquillo, our Assisi apartment:
There is paid parking ( 7 to 10 E daily) in a parking lot about 10 mins.’ walk away from the apartment.
I can show you where the free parking is which we “locals” use, as well. The parking there is about 10 mins. away as well – and that area is uphill from the apartment (but the more you walk, the more pasta you can enjoy!)

For our countryside apartments:
Yes! Plenty of parking near the apartments


Is the in-town Assisi apartment, Il Nido Tranquillo, near the town center?

Yes! Definitely. The apartment is right off the main piazza, Piazza del Comune, graced by 14th-century civic buildings, the Roman Temple to Minerva (1st BC) and encircled with restaurants and cafès. – but Il Nido Tranquillo is in the quiet backstreets where no car traffic is allowed


Is there an elevator in the in-town Assisi apartment? (Note: countryside Assisi Casa Campagna apartments are ground level)

No, it is not possible to put an elevator into this historic building due to severe building code restrictions in medieval hilltowns.
The apartment is about thirty-two steps up but divided into easy flights of about five steps. The building has recently been fully restored.


Is Assisi a good place to spend a few weeks?

Most definitely! Or even a few months. Why not attend our fine language school while here, learning Italian?
You’ll never see all the hilltown wonders of Umbria, not to mention the nearby Marches region, northern Latium, Abruzzo (southeast of Umbria) and southern Tuscany!
Click here for an idea on all there is to see. Follow my blog for frequent insights, updates on Umbrian wonders, the Umbrian people.


When best to come?

The Calendar page on this site will help you decide.


What are the amenities of Il Nido Tranquillo?

  • ample binder on the living room desk filled with information on Assisi and Umbria
  • air-conditioning and heat
  • WIFI
  • washing machine
  • fully-equipped kitchen with refrigerator, gas stovetop and oven, cooking utensils and dishes
  • microwave
  • espresso stove-top coffee maker (and a cappucino/coffee bar just up the street!)
  • iron and ironing board
  • hair-dryer
  • TV
  • clock radio
  • towels, bed linens and extra blanquets
  • travel books and other reading material
  • Umbrian art and crafts on the walls and all around you: your first introduction to local artists and artisans

What are the amenities of the countryside apartments?

  • almost always, dinner with us when you arrive! (and we are next door for all needs…)
  • often vegetables from our garden and eggs from our chickens for our guests
  • ample information on Assisi and Umbria
  • heat (and air-conditioning not needed up in the hills)
  • WIFI
  • washing machine
  • fully-equipped kitchen with refrigerator, gas stovetop and oven, cooking utensils and dishes
  • microwave
  • espresso stove-top coffee maker
  • iron and ironing board
  • hair-dryer
  • clock radio
  • towels, bed linens and extra blanquets
  • travel books and other reading material
  • Umbrian art and crafts on the walls and all around you: your first introduction to local artists and artisans

Will I have the opportunity to know the local people while there?

Most certainly: Assisi has been “our town” for over thirty years and I am happy to help you meet “the locals”.